The Indian Railways will launch 56 new trains, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said.
As Indians eagerly wait to see a makeover, here's a look at trains and stations of world's fourth largest railway network.
Construction of one kilometre of high speed railway track will cost Rs 100-140 crore.
RSS-aligned Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on Monday expressed disappointment over the government's budget proposals with regard to divestment and foreign direct investment, especially in the insurance sector. The BMS, however, lauded the government for its current efforts on the massive vaccination programme, a special scheme for tea workers in West Bengal and Assam, labour oriented push on infrastructure projects in construction sector and development of five major fishing harbours viz. Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Petuaghat as hubs for economic activities etc. On other Budget proposals, it said in a statement that "mixing the beautiful concept of Aatmanirbhar Bharat with FDI and disinvestment in the Union Budget is disappointing for the employees".
The Budget for 2018-19 has at least five takeaways that are yet to receive adequate attention, says A K Bhattacharya.
In his interim Railway Budget for 2009-10, Lalu announced the extension of 2187/2188 Jabalpur-Mumbai-Jabalpur biweekly Garib Rath Express to Allahabad. The trouble, however, is that the Jabalpur-Mumbai-Jabalpur Garib Rath does not exist!
To further improve rail connectivity and infrastructure development, 22 stations located at metropolitan centres and major tourist centres will be developed through public-private partnership, the President said.
While this benefit of easing fuel cost should have been passed on to consumers through the review of FAC due this month, the Railways does not intend to revise freight and passenger fares until the next Budget to be presented in February.
This is unfortunate, not unexpected. When the Budget was presented, it was anticipated that the improvement in the operating ratio would be 'hollow'.
Unfazed by the attack on him by his own party for raising rail fares, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi on Wednesday justified the move saying it was a "conscious decision" in the best interest of the Railways.
The minister wants maximum use of alternative fuel in rail operations.
Railways had earlier hiked the freight rate by 5.7 per cent in April while linking the fuel adjustment component with goods tariff. FAC is linked with fuel and energy prices and calculated accordingly.
After presenting the Railway Budget, Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal and Financial Commissioner Vijaya Kanth spoke to Business Standard on the proposals.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has no qualms in mixing economics with politics, which is evident from her reaction to the railway budget, says Renu Mittal.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry has circulated a draft Cabinet note for inter-ministerial consultations.
In a move to increase safety measures, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said she plans to increase the number of women commandoes, and women RPF squads, especially in stations where women come in large numbers regularly.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu also made a fervent appeal to the leaders of various parties at an all-party meeting to ensure smooth and effective functioning of the House during the Budget Session.
Ugly scenes were witnessed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday when Bharatiya Janata Party and Trinamool Congress members came to the verge of a clash over the Railway Budget whose withdrawl was demanded by members from West Bengal.
Though the Railways is yet to declare any five-year action plan, it is clear the government is not in a position to hand-hold it for any major expansion or upgrade. The issue, however, is how far the Railways can function within the PPP format. Recent history highlights some of the challenges.
Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal announced introduction of 19 new train services, extension of three and increase in frequency of five trains acceding to demands of MPs.
Cement, coal, steel and urea prices are likely to go up
Honda dealers stopped taking orders for Jazz. The company will, however, deliver pending orders.
On a day of dramatic developments, The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday night sought the removal of its senior-most nominee in the Union Cabinet, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi, hours after he proposed a hike in railway passenger fares, plunging the UPA government in an unusual political crisis.
Disagreeing with the formula of hike of one paisa or two paisa per km, Mamata said, "In railways there is no travel for a distance of mere one km or two km distance.
The railways ministry has a capex target of Rs 1 lakh crore for the financial year.
Presenting her third budget in UPA-II in the Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a slew ofconcessions including reducing the eligibility age of senior women citizens from 60 to 58 years.
This was one of the toughest years for Indian Railways.
Gowda has also failed to offer clarity on reforming the Railway Board.
Train running information system will be installed at rail premises to facilitate dissemination of information about trains on real time basis.
"India's middle class, small traders and farmers are the lifelines of its economic growth. By catering to these ambitions #Budget2019 infuses hopes for millions of dreams."
Presenting the Railway Budget for 2010-11 in Parliament, the minister said there are 14 lakh (1.4 million) employees of Indian Railways -- from officers to gangmen and the scheme will benefit all of them.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to present a populist Railway Budget on February 24, leaving passenger fares untouched but rationalising the freight rates keeping the essential commodities aside.
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Most of the railway-related stocks, which had seen smart gains in the past few days ahead of the Rail Budget, saw profit-booking as Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda presented the Budget.
While most experts suggest the government loosen its purse strings and not worry about the fiscal deficit in a pandemic impacted year, it will be a tightrope walk for the government to increase spending without going overboard.
The railway minister said the target of 700 km of new lines in the current year (2012-13) had to be scaled down to 470 km due to inadequate resources.
Construction of more underpasses besides road overbridges, dedicated passenger corridors are also on the anvil, the railway minister said.
The rupee had lost 23 paise to end at 54.09 in Tuesday's trade due to month-end dollar demand.
E-Samiksha can be used for monitoring the infra target.
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